Japanese whalers become the hunted

6.00pm

A marine mammal protection ship carrying 44 crew left Hobart, Tasmania today for Antarctica where her crew will attempt to track down a Japanese whaling fleet.

The 48-metre Farley Mowat is under the command of Paul Watson, the founder of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society.

Watson says he intends to harass the Japanese whalers and to physically intervene to protect whales.

Japan plans to kill 440 Minke whales in the Southern Ocean Sanctuary - the same number it killed last year - for what it calls scientific research. The whale meat is sold in Japan.

Antarctic Minke whales are protected under an international agreement on migratory species, and are listed under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).

The Farley Mowat left Auckland on December 4 and stopped in Hobart to top up fuel supplies.

Watson says the ship is capable of spending two months at sea and will return to Auckland at the end of its current mission.

Herald feature: Environment